Welcome to Rangers Fan Rehab
My name is Brian and I’m a Rangers fan.
My story is like any other. I didn’t ask to be Rangers fan. It just sort of happened. I know that sounds like a lame excuse or something, but I don’t have any other explanation for it. I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and realized that I was a Rangers fan. And that I needed help.
Maybe my background has something to do with it. I grew up in a family of Rangers fans. My father, my uncles, all my cousins—each one a lifelong follower of Broadway Blue. Some people say that being a Rangers fan is genetic, others that it’s some sort of learned behavior. I don’t know. All I know is that I’ve been a Rangers fan for as far back as I can remember.
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I know I started young. Experimenting, you know. Staying up late and sneaking out of bed to catch my dad watching the game on the TV. Listening to the golden monotone of Bill Chadwick bounce off the walls; Marv Albert’s “kick save and a beauty” echoing through the vents of the house. One night my dad caught me spying and actually sat me down on the couch to watch the game. I know it’s sounds like a pretty sick thing to do to a child, but I don’t fault him for it. After all, that’s how he was raised. He isn’t perfect, my father. He’s just a Rangers fan too.
It didn’t help that I ran with the wrong crowd either. Rangers fans, each and every one. Some of them had even been to Madison Square Garden. One poor boy’s parents were season tickets holders. During recess we used to sneak away and pretend we were Barry Beck or Ron Greschner. I even started to wear my Ron Duguay jersey to school. The teachers would just shake their heads. What could they do? They knew what kind of a life I was destined for.
When you’re a kid, you just don’t see the consequences of your actions. There is no dark side to being a Rangers fan. Life is about having the most fun at every moment. And I’ll admit, looking back on it, I had some great times following the team. The Islander-Ranger rivalries. John Davidson and 1979. Nick Fotiu. But unfortunately you don’t see the long-term damage that being a Rangers fan can do. You don’t think about all the bad trades and idiotic coaching and inexplicable injuries that slowly gnaw you down to a thin miserable pulp. You don’t understand all the suffering and frustration; all the disappointments, the let-downs; the legacy of losing. You hear the “1940” chant, but you don’t hear it. You don't understand the pain felt by men just like you that cheered for 50 years before the Hockey Gods gave them a moment of peace. You don’t process all the anguish, all the embarrassment, and the humiliation and torture that comes from rooting for a team that never seems to win.
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My first wake-up call came in the summer of 1986. I was flying high after an improbable playoff run by John Vanbiesbrouck brought us a few bad bounces away from competing for the Stanley Cup. All the pieces seemed to be in place. But then the bottom fell out. Phil Esposito chased my hero Reijo Ruotsalainen back to Finland, head coach Ted Sator chased Mark Pavelich into the woods, Barry Beck lost his golden shoulder. Rexy was given to Edmonton, and promising youngsters Mike Ridley and Kelly Miller were traded for Bob Carpenter (charter member of the all-time biggest bust Hall of Fame); two months later the team panicked and traded Carpenter and Tom Laidlaw for a completely washed-up Marcel Dionne. Lines were beginning to show on my face. I would fly into a rage whenever anyone mentioned Norm MacIver or Jari Gronstrand. I was out of control.
And then the losing started. The internal turmoil, the patchwork trades, the wheezing veteran additions and everything else that defined the Kelly Kisio Era. I wanted out of that loser lifestyle any way possible. No less than a dozen times did I swear myself off the Rangers. I set fire to my NYR Booster Club t-shirt, tore my Walt Poddubny poster to shreds. I refused to step foot in The Garden, and boycotted Chinese food for the use of MSG. I even started to play baseball.
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But I always came back. I had no self-control. First it was Tomas Sandstrom. Then the promise of Brian Leetch and Mike Richter. Then the feisty toughness of Tie Domi. Whenever life got tough there was always something positive I could find in the New York Rangers. At least, that’s what I thought. But these few bright moments were always followed by long bouts of depression, anger, and ultimately frustration. The shame I felt as a Rangers fan crippled my esteem to find another team to follow; in fact, it made me like the Rangers even more.
Finally I couldn’t take it anymore. The mediocrity and the stagnation and having to root for guys like Randy Moller and Joe Cirella. I’d had enough. And just when I was on the verge of kicking my habit for good (thanks to the fan-repelling personality of Bernie Nicholls), something unusual happened that would change the course of my life forever: the Rangers traded for Mark Messier and won the Stanley Cup.
Suddenly all the suffering and humiliation was made worth while. All the time spent in hockey’s gutter; all the first round playoff exits and coaching carousels; all the Carol Vadnais and Bob Crawfords and Carey Wilsons—all were instantly redeemed.
So now I was a hardcore, full-blown, obnoxious and oblivious fan again. I wore my jersey with misbegotten pride, heckled expansion teams, chanted “We Want Fishsticks!” as if the Rangers would never lose again. When you’re a fan and you’re living the good life, all those miserable nights of bitterness and frustration wash right off under the silvery glow of Lord Stanley’s Cup. I knew the warnings and saw the danger signs. I knew trading Tony Amonte and Doug Weight was going to come back someday. I knew that Mattias Norstrom, Ray Ferraro, and Ian Laperriere for Jari Kurri, Marty McSorley, and Shane Churla was a horrible trade. I knew Alexei Kovalev was a star. You just don’t care. When you’re a habitual Rangers fan and you’re inebriated by the lure of that bright shining Cup, your mind doesn’t allow you to think straight. You always believe you’re one player away, or that you just need a new coach or a better GM. The problem is not with you, it’s everyone else: the refs, the rulebook, the league itself. This is how you think when you’re addicted to Broadway Blue.
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I guess I started to see the light during the five-year losing streak. Heck, there was even a three month stretch in 2000 when I didn’t even watch the games. The Yankees and Mets were doing well—who needed the stinking Rangers? Things were going well and I seemed to have my life back on track. But then my problems roared right back in. A new GM, a new coach, a limitless budget. Playoff promises were issued, seemingly lopsided trades were being made, big name free agents were being signed. I can handle this, I said. I’m older and wiser now. I’ll just follow the team casually, maybe just watch the games every now and then. This time I’ll be in complete control.
But that demon, that disease, of being a Rangers fan, it's torn it’s claws into me and won't let go. I started to let my ego take control, started talking about a Conference Championship. I'm a very weak man. And now I’m hooked on a team that reeled off a 4-6-2 start in the month of October; a struggling squad of misfits and cast-offs that doesn’t look any different than the year before. New coaches, new players, new attitude—and yet here I am, still cheering for the same losing jersey, making the same lame excuses, using the same clichéd lines, still believing that the Rangers are only one or two players away from a Stanley Cup. I’m right back on the wagon again, heading straight down that same tired road of misery and despair. And I need help.
So that’s why I’m here in Rangers rehab. My moment of clarity came Wednesday when I realized that the Tampa Bay Lightning have passed us in the power rankings. I’m coming to terms with the fact that the Rangers are not very good team, nor will they ever be a very good team. But everything is going to be OK. I’m taking things one day at a time. It’s a disease, I know, and every moment from this point on will be an uphill battle against the spell of the red, white, and blue. I have a lot of work ahead. But it's a battle I know I can win.
And yet… well… have you seen that kid Lundmark? Lot of potential in that one. Might be worth watching, if only for a moment or two…
Posted by Brian at November 01, 2002 04:00 PMeMail this entry!
"..nor will they ever be a very good team." ????
Come on now. Thats a little gloomy, eh? Our beloved Rangers were a pretty dog'on good team throughout the early to mid 90's. Today we can look at the Red Wings as a very good team, but where were they in the 80's or early 90's??
We'll get there again. We're just one player away...oh wait. Nevermind.
But really man, hats off to ya for this column. It perfectly sums up life as a Ranger fan.
Posted by: Tim'eehh!!!!! on November 2, 2002 02:26 PM"..nor will they ever be a very good team." ????
Come on now. Thats a little gloomy, eh? Our beloved Rangers were a pretty dog'on good team throughout the early to mid 90's. Today we can look at the Red Wings as a very good team, but where were they in the 80's or early 90's??
We'll get there again. We're just one player away...oh wait. Nevermind.
But really man, hats off to ya for this column. It perfectly sums up life as a Ranger fan.
Posted by: Tim'eehh!!!!! on November 2, 2002 02:28 PMSorry about the double post. I dunno what happened. Kindly excuse my blundering numbskullery.
Posted by: Tim.... on November 2, 2002 02:30 PMBrian Great story and great feeling, Right on the mark, We Fans have sat and watched this team get better on paper but nothing on Ice. This team has not shown the Heart that it takes to get the job done.
Its sad that Even DIE HARD fans, have to pay for this Crap that they call Pro Hockey. Its more like The Ice Capades - But the Ice Capades have more Heart.
Every year I come into the season with a New Outlook and so far every year Ive been kick right back down. I asked myself two season ago - When is it enough. When will this team see its Rock Bottom and Pick it's self up? When will I feel better about Paying for all those lost Season's ?When will they just show HEART?
Well its only a few games in and so far the best outlook I had in years is getting Kicked. When is it enough?
I have even been called a Bandwagoner (lmao) Cause I dont go along with that P.C. Ranger Fan. You know the one - The one's who cant seem to see the team aint getting it done. The one's who always cant see the bad - They make up some good. The one's who dont even know what its like to be a fan way before the CUP. One's that Boo players -And they dont even know the meaning behind the Boo's. The one's who think Potvin is Playing In L.A. (LMAO)But I am FAR from a Bandwagoner. Once a Ranger fan ALWAYS a Ranger fan. Butu I wont Sugar Coat the teams Play.
If they can only OPEN up Fan eyes and see what Us DIE HARDERS have seen for years. If only we can have a Team who shows they care about the Fans.
A lot of If's - And still nothing shown.
NEW YORK RANGERS
New Year, Same old Dreams
Posted by: _NITEBREED_ on November 2, 2002 06:31 PMThe thing about the Rangers is, they trick us into thinking we're gonna win the cup every year. It would have been nice if this 5 year sucky streak could have been the way the Lightning or Thrashers have been. They never had dillusions of grandeur.
Posted by: Tim.... on November 2, 2002 10:21 PMDear Brian:
I enjoyed your essay! I don't feel apathy. I guess it is sort of ambivilence with me right now. I am not ready to write off this team or Trottier yet. I will not BOO, berate people or be disgusted. I will not denigrate the accomplishments of other teams, ie the Wild or Tampa. Last fall, the Rangers opened pretty strong and were all hyped up over the FLY line. All for naught in the end. So too probably are some of the teams leading the league right now. How much better it will be to have this Ranger team get better in time and find itself, than to be another flash in the pan.
A Ranger fan's motto,like AA, GA and OA should be "One Day at a Time".
When I go to games, I try to enjoy the good things and hope they add up to a good result. I was dreading going to last nights game against St. Louis, not because of the play of the Rangers in Boston, but because of how unpleasant it has become to attend a game with the Garden crowd. I felt they would be down on the team again from the minute they set foot on the ice. Fortunately, to my surprise, that was not the case. The Rangers have been putting together better periods of hockey in the last few games. They just have to play 3 good periods in one game. Some respondents would choose to make a sarcastic remark here. I choose not to.
No one sets out to loose intentionally. Everyone wants to win. Look for the positive things happening right now. The players that aren't expected to do as much as the "Stars" are stepping up. That will lead to greater depth down the road
You know who they are. Those who aren't playing that well are being held accountable. I hope they find their way and wish them the best.
Lastly, might I ask you who else should a Ranger fan root for? Surely not that smug bunch out East with the four orange and blue stipes on their jerseys. They need to get over it. The 4peat was almost 20 years ago. Talk about being suckered in, those fans are paying over double to see the same old same old, their prices jacked up because the Icelanders made the first round! Or, perhaps should we root for their Satanic Majesties from NEW JERSEY? It's not New York, is it?
No, Brian, the only team we have are The New York Rangers. There's a thin line between love and hate. New Yorkers by nature are a neurotic bunch. There's nothing wrong with you, Brian, for your loyalty to the Rangers. It's the greatest sport to those of us who love to watch it and play it.
Here is my Rx for you. Watch some Red Wing games or any another team you like almost as well as the Rangers. I do. It's like watching the All Star skills competition. It reaffirms what we love about the game. Take each game as it comes and put all the statistics and derogatory commentary by the Hockey Talking Heads out of your mind. Be in the moment of each game. Lastly, being in a sort of 12 step program myself, I always remember this - "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why they call it the present."
Let's Go Rangers
M
Posted by: mhurley on November 4, 2002 05:24 PMDear Brian:
I enjoyed your essay! I don't feel apathy. I guess it is sort of ambivilence with me right now. I am not ready to write off this team or Trottier yet. I will not BOO, berate people or be disgusted. I will not denigrate the accomplishments of other teams, ie the Wild or Tampa. Last fall, the Rangers opened pretty strong and were all hyped up over the FLY line. All for naught in the end. So too probably are some of the teams leading the league right now. How much better it will be to have this Ranger team get better in time and find itself, than to be another flash in the pan.
A Ranger fan's motto,like AA, GA and OA should be "One Day at a Time".
When I go to games, I try to enjoy the good things and hope they add up to a good result. I was dreading going to last nights game against St. Louis, not because of the play of the Rangers in Boston, but because of how unpleasant it has become to attend a game with the Garden crowd. I felt they would be down on the team again from the minute they set foot on the ice. Fortunately, to my surprise, that was not the case. The Rangers have been putting together better periods of hockey in the last few games. They just have to play 3 good periods in one game. Some respondents would choose to make a sarcastic remark here. I choose not to.
No one sets out to loose intentionally. Everyone wants to win. Look for the positive things happening right now. The players that aren't expected to do as much as the "Stars" are stepping up. That will lead to greater depth down the road
You know who they are. Those who aren't playing that well are being held accountable. I hope they find their way and wish them the best.
Lastly, might I ask you who else should a Ranger fan root for? Surely not that smug bunch out East with the four orange and blue stipes on their jerseys. They need to get over it. The 4peat was almost 20 years ago. Talk about being suckered in, those fans are paying over double to see the same old same old, their prices jacked up because the Icelanders made the first round! Or, perhaps should we root for their Satanic Majesties from NEW JERSEY? It's not New York, is it?
No, Brian, the only team we have are The New York Rangers. There's a thin line between love and hate. New Yorkers by nature are a neurotic bunch. There's nothing wrong with you, Brian, for your loyalty to the Rangers. It's the greatest sport to those of us who love to watch it and play it.
Here is my Rx for you. Watch some Red Wing games or any another team you like almost as well as the Rangers. I do. It's like watching the All Star skills competition. It reaffirms what we love about the game. Take each game as it comes and put all the statistics and derogatory commentary by the Hockey Talking Heads out of your mind. Be in the moment of each game. Lastly, being in a sort of 12 step program myself, I always remember this - "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why they call it the present."
Let's Go Rangers
M
Posted by: mhurley on November 4, 2002 05:26 PMDear Brian:
I enjoyed your essay! I don't feel apathy. I guess it is sort of ambivilence with me right now. I am not ready to write off this team or Trottier yet. I will not BOO, berate people or be disgusted. I will not denigrate the accomplishments of other teams, ie the Wild or Tampa. Last fall, the Rangers opened pretty strong and were all hyped up over the FLY line. All for naught in the end. So too probably are some of the teams leading the league right now. How much better it will be to have this Ranger team get better in time and find itself, than to be another flash in the pan.
A Ranger fan's motto,like AA, GA and OA should be "One Day at a Time".
When I go to games, I try to enjoy the good things and hope they add up to a good result. I was dreading going to last nights game against St. Louis, not because of the play of the Rangers in Boston, but because of how unpleasant it has become to attend a game with the Garden crowd. I felt they would be down on the team again from the minute they set foot on the ice. Fortunately, to my surprise, that was not the case. The Rangers have been putting together better periods of hockey in the last few games. They just have to play 3 good periods in one game. Some respondents would choose to make a sarcastic remark here. I choose not to.
No one sets out to loose intentionally. Everyone wants to win. Look for the positive things happening right now. The players that aren't expected to do as much as the "Stars" are stepping up. That will lead to greater depth down the road
You know who they are. Those who aren't playing that well are being held accountable. I hope they find their way and wish them the best.
Lastly, might I ask you who else should a Ranger fan root for? Surely not that smug bunch out East with the four orange and blue stipes on their jerseys. They need to get over it. The 4peat was almost 20 years ago. Talk about being suckered in, those fans are paying over double to see the same old same old, their prices jacked up because the Icelanders made the first round! Or, perhaps should we root for their Satanic Majesties from NEW JERSEY? It's not New York, is it?
No, Brian, the only team we have are The New York Rangers. There's a thin line between love and hate. New Yorkers by nature are a neurotic bunch. There's nothing wrong with you, Brian, for your loyalty to the Rangers. It's the greatest sport to those of us who love to watch it and play it.
Here is my Rx for you. Watch some Red Wing games or any another team you like almost as well as the Rangers. I do. It's like watching the All Star skills competition. It reaffirms what we love about the game. Take each game as it comes and put all the statistics and derogatory commentary by the Hockey Talking Heads out of your mind. Be in the moment of each game. Lastly, being in a sort of 12 step program myself, I always remember this - "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why they call it the present."
Let's Go Rangers
M
Posted by: mhurley on November 4, 2002 05:27 PMDear Brian:
I enjoyed your essay! I don't feel apathy. I guess it is sort of ambivilence with me right now. I am not ready to write off this team or Trottier yet. I will not BOO, berate people or be disgusted. I will not denigrate the accomplishments of other teams, ie the Wild or Tampa. Last fall, the Rangers opened pretty strong and were all hyped up over the FLY line. All for naught in the end. So too probably are some of the teams leading the league right now. How much better it will be to have this Ranger team get better in time and find itself, than to be another flash in the pan.
A Ranger fan's motto,like AA, GA and OA should be "One Day at a Time".
When I go to games, I try to enjoy the good things and hope they add up to a good result. I was dreading going to last nights game against St. Louis, not because of the play of the Rangers in Boston, but because of how unpleasant it has become to attend a game with the Garden crowd. I felt they would be down on the team again from the minute they set foot on the ice. Fortunately, to my surprise, that was not the case. The Rangers have been putting together better periods of hockey in the last few games. They just have to play 3 good periods in one game. Some respondents would choose to make a sarcastic remark here. I choose not to.
No one sets out to loose intentionally. Everyone wants to win. Look for the positive things happening right now. The players that aren't expected to do as much as the "Stars" are stepping up. That will lead to greater depth down the road
You know who they are. Those who aren't playing that well are being held accountable. I hope they find their way and wish them the best.
Lastly, might I ask you who else should a Ranger fan root for? Surely not that smug bunch out East with the four orange and blue stipes on their jerseys. They need to get over it. The 4peat was almost 20 years ago. Talk about being suckered in, those fans are paying over double to see the same old same old, their prices jacked up because the Icelanders made the first round! Or, perhaps should we root for their Satanic Majesties from NEW JERSEY? It's not New York, is it?
No, Brian, the only team we have are The New York Rangers. There's a thin line between love and hate. New Yorkers by nature are a neurotic bunch. There's nothing wrong with you, Brian, for your loyalty to the Rangers. It's the greatest sport to those of us who love to watch it and play it.
Here is my Rx for you. Watch some Red Wing games or any another team you like almost as well as the Rangers. I do. It's like watching the All Star skills competition. It reaffirms what we love about the game. Take each game as it comes and put all the statistics and derogatory commentary by the Hockey Talking Heads out of your mind. Be in the moment of each game. Lastly, being in a sort of 12 step program myself, I always remember this - "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why they call it the present."
Let's Go Rangers
M
Posted by: mhurley on November 4, 2002 05:27 PMSorry about double post ala Tim. Site is not working well?
Posted by: mhurley on November 4, 2002 05:33 PMBrilliant essay! This is the best rangers commentary I have ever seen or heard. You are truly a devoted fan, and I commend your dedication. Your comments about the Kelly Kisio years are especially appreciated.
Posted by: Jamie on November 7, 2002 10:10 PMthe best yet.Keep the faith.
Posted by: 2376 on December 8, 2002 07:32 PMthe best yet.Keep the faith.
Posted by: 2376 on December 8, 2002 07:32 PMthe best yet.Keep the faith.
Posted by: 2376 on December 8, 2002 07:32 PMHa Ha..Loser
Posted by: Jimmy Leeds on December 9, 2002 02:24 PM
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